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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for letting employees go.

Although Vought did not specify which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union for federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by the public and pledged to contest the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be ended before then.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

A report contended that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the government to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the very day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment for the end of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since funding expired at the start of the month.

Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.